The Hockomock Area YMCA’s Bernon Family Branch in Franklin and Dean College have joined forces to provide mentoring and guidance to young adults currently enrolled in high school. The new Teen Transitions Program is a free 7-week series designed to assist young adults preparing to start college or enter the workforce.
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| Dean College celebrates 150 years |
“Our organizations share a commitment to youth development with a common mission that calls us to meet the emerging needs of our communities,” said Scott Martin, Executive Director of the Bernon Family Branch of the Hockomock Area YMCA. “We want to invest in our future leaders and ensure they have the skills necessary to put their best foot forward as they enter a competitive market.”
Teen Transitions is an innovative approach that will pull together professionals and industry experts living and working in our community to volunteer their time presenting tips and best practices on the topics listed below. Peer mentors from Dean College’s National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS) will add input assisting with a number of small group breakout discussions.
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| Hockomock YMCA |
“As young people ask themselves ‘What is the next step?’, we aim to ensure that resources are available and that youth in our community know they are supported to achieve their goals,” said Gregg Chalk, Vice President Marketing and Business Development at Dean College. “For over a decade, Dean College and the Hockomock Area YMCA have worked side by side to make a positive impact on the Franklin community. This program will keep kids moving forward and strengthen the community.”
Speakers in the series include: Bill Chouinard, Sr. Director of Operations, Creative Services, Inc.; Megan Lafayette, Principal, Norton High School; John Fenton, Certified Financial Planner, Owner, Fenton Financial Group; P. Gerard Shaw, Associate Professor, Dean College; Nate Packert, Hockomock Area YMCA Teen Program Coordinator; Cody Albright, Hockomock Area YMCA Director of Outdoor Education; Mary Gablaski, Hockomock Area YMCA Vice President of Human Resources; and more.
Teen Transitions meetings are open to ages 14-18 and will take place at Dean College’s Campus Center, room 206 on Monday evenings beginning October 19th. Meetings will run from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Please call the YMCA at 508-528-8708 to enroll today, as space is limited.
Week 1 10/19 Social Media Impact
• Facebook/Twitter/Snapchat/LinkedIn/Instagram; example: impact on job opportunities, potential college admission; shared stories of social media impacting students.
Week 2 10/26 Building Positive Relationships
• 1st roommate & roommate contract; scenarios and possible solutions; college room tour.
Week 3 11/2 How to Manage the College Search Process
• PSAT, SAT, ACT; college fairs and financial role in decision making; campus visits/interviews and how will you know what the best fit is?
Week 4 11/9 FAFSA/College Applications
• How to do FAFSA; how to fill out college applications; what to look for in a college.
Week 5 11/16 Developing Personal Values
• Definition of success; personal values & true colors.
Week 6 11/23 Financial Planning
• Managing your own money; needs vs. wants and creating your first budget; credit card debt; getting loans and payment plans; different levels of wealth and problems keeping up with peer spending.
Week 7 11/30 Interview Skills
• Networking to find out who’s hiring; interviewing for internships; mock interviews.
About Hockomock Area YMCA:
Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.
Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.
About Dean College:
Founded in 1865, Dean College is a private, residential college located in Franklin Massachusetts, 45 minutes from Boston, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island. Dean College offers baccalaureate degrees, associate degree programs, as well as a robust schedule of part-time continuing and professional education credit and certificate programs throughout the calendar year. For more information visit www.dean.edu.
